Abstract:

In this paper, we use Web 3.0 educational tools for science teaching and we present the design and evaluation of “atlasvines”, an educational profile based on “Vine”, a social network mobile platform. The profile includes 12 micromovies produced by the researchers and 56 micromovies produced by pre-service teachers, in the context of an academic course. The developed micromovies may also be uploaded to another web-environment, such as YouTube. Initially, 237 pre-service teachers participated in a workshop related to the creation of micromovies about science. In this study we analyze the development process, using the GNOSIS research model. A week after the workshop, the participants completed a questionaire related to their engagement on developing and sharing on the web micromovies about science, as well as the potential application of their micromovies in science teaching and learning. Pre-service teachers created 107 vine micromovies in seven weeks, 56 from which have been chosen to be shared on “atlasvines”. All micromovies have been analyzed using the Science Micromovies’ Analysis research model, that focuses on the content analysis, the image of science and the structure of science micromovies. In addition, micromovies have been analyzed using the GNOSIS research model, pointing out the various aspects of the nature of science that characterize “atlasvines”. The results of the study show that the development of micromovies about science is a powerful creative learning environment. “Atlasvines” has taken possitive comments and feedback about its’ impact on science teaching, whereas its’ micromovies present science concepts and phenomena in connection with culture and society in a friendly way.

Keywords:

Web-based science learning environments, science micromovies, atlasvines, GNOSIS research model, Science Micromovies’ Analysis research model.